One Giant Leap

I think my love for The Martian pays when reading other reality grounded science fiction novels. I loved the premise of this so very much: mission control officer and astronaut fall for each other? Yes, please! However, the romance was the weakest part of the book for me. I don't know if it's because of who I am as a person and of what expectations I made for myself with it that made it feel just too fast and slightly uncomfortable with the hero worship and age gap, and I've read and enjoyed books with both!

Maybe I thought more of the inner workings of space travel could have been explored more, or maybe it was Curt that had to do 6 months on the ISS and the bond between Patrick and Curt could have had more time to develop, and that Patrick's want to go to space could have been just from that, instead of idolizing an astronaut and they both learn from each other as complete strangers. I also wish we got more of the life on the Hermes I, really felt the isolation on the ship, and more than just a page and a half of one EVA. I would have loved to learn more of KC and Carmen and not shipping the only trans character off for a chunk of the book.

However, I loved the absolute competence that everyone has with their jobs, how when things had to get serious everyone buckled down and did what needed to be done instead of messing around or cracking needless jokes. I did have a slight fear that toward the beginning the issues they were facing was going to turn into some sabotage route and kean into the fantasy part of the genre, but I'm so glad they didn't. It was also very nice when Curtis accommodated Patrick at the restaurant very easily with no fuss and that was nice to see. The way that space exploration is needed and essential to who we are is a deep appreciation that I have respect for. 

Overall: 3.5/5